Another point that will be interesting is how much of a cap hit do contracts in the AHl or for players loaned to other clubs count toward the main teams cap. A few weeks back the rumour I heard was that any contract over 100k would count against the NHL team's cap. If true it will make burying a guy in the minors rather redundant, another loop hole closed.

But it will be something that the NHL team will have to control in the overall picture. Since the NHL minimum exceeds 100k it will be interesting to see how this impacts two way/versus one way deals down the road.

EDIT:

Just found this:Any player on a one-way contract who plays in the American Hockey League with a salary in excess of the NHL’s minimum salary plus $375,000 will have the excess amount charged against his team’s salary cap.

Don't know how reliable or accurate it is but if close to accurate then it won't affect the Canucks. Lets call it the Redden rule.

Gotta say I'm more on the same page as Arach with this, although I am boycotting NHL products, will still tune in to watch my Canucks so long as it doesn't interfere with something else. But I've lost interest in the NHL in general, too inconsistent, lack of integrity, bias towards certain players and teams, terrible officiating, blah blah blah......it's a long list. If I could watch CHL regularly I would probably just keep track of how the Canucks are doing and otherwise ignore the NHL until the playoffs.

I was kinda hoping for the whole thing to drag out into at least July this year. Some friends of mine who know I'm a big hockey fan, got me some tickets to a Canada vs US exhibition game here in Sydney, Australia in mid June. A cancelled season might have meant some biggish names might have made the trek down under. It'll still be heaps fun I'm sure but I imagine the rosters will be a little disappointing considering I imagine no nhl players currently under contract with a team will be able to come. On the plus side, yay NHL hockey starting soon!

Meds wrote:Gotta say I'm more on the same page as Arach with this, although I am boycotting NHL products, will still tune in to watch my Canucks so long as it doesn't interfere with something else. But I've lost interest in the NHL in general, too inconsistent, lack of integrity, bias towards certain players and teams, terrible officiating, blah blah blah......it's a long list. If I could watch CHL regularly I would probably just keep track of how the Canucks are doing and otherwise ignore the NHL until the playoffs.

Love this team. Love this game. Hate this league.

I agree 100% withe everything here.

One of my main interests in the league is how it affects my SIM league, I spend time watching other teams players as they belong to me in my SIM league. If it was not for that I would only watch about 75% of Canucks and not get excited until they reach the SC final.

Topper wrote:Is there a provision for the Leaves to have six points from their annual October three game win streak?

Yes. Clause 6.3.4.4 - Leaves Still Suck

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be granted six (6) points in the standings in any year that there are no games in October. They will be first highlights on TSN and CBC. Additionally, they will still be golfing in April, where Dion Phaneif's putts will be first highlights before Playoff highlights.

Laugh out loud at Ilya Kovalchuk...One would have thought a guy would pick up a little "normal" living in North America for as long as Ilya has, but no it appears a couple months in mother Russia and its right back to WTF?

The Stanley Cup could be presented as late as June 28 if the final series is pushed to a Game 7.

Sportsnet’s John Shannon confirmed Wednesday that the NHL’s 48-game regular season will begin Jan. 19, as expected, and will end April 27.

After a three-day break, the playoffs – which will remain in their usual format – will commence on the first of May.

Of particular interest to fans is the league's trade deadline, which Shannon expects to see land on April 3.

Typically trade deadline day falls in late February. For 2013, it will be pushed until after the Major League Baseball season opens.

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft is currently scheduled for June 28-29 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Some reporters have speculated that date could be pushed into July.

John Shannon@JSportsnet

From TSN:

When the NHL season gets underway, teams will likely have a shorter-than-normal evaluation period to decide whether to keep their underage prospects or send them back to their junior teams.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the league is expected to adopt a six-game rule for the lockout-shortened season. At that point, teams could send the player back to junior without using up the first year of their entry level contract.

The Stanley Cup could be presented as late as June 28 if the final series is pushed to a Game 7.

Sportsnet’s John Shannon confirmed Wednesday that the NHL’s 48-game regular season will begin Jan. 19, as expected, and will end April 27.

After a three-day break, the playoffs – which will remain in their usual format – will commence on the first of May.

The IIHF World Championships, that are held in Sweden (and Finland) this year start on May 3rd.

That means only players from teams that miss the playoffs will be available. In a normal year you have time to wait for first round eliminations as well, which means you have another eight teams to pick from.

This same shit happened when Sweden hosted the championships in 1995 as well.Does the NHL board of directors do this on purpose to make our tournaments suffer?!

The Stanley Cup could be presented as late as June 28 if the final series is pushed to a Game 7.

Sportsnet’s John Shannon confirmed Wednesday that the NHL’s 48-game regular season will begin Jan. 19, as expected, and will end April 27.

After a three-day break, the playoffs – which will remain in their usual format – will commence on the first of May.

The IIHF World Championships, that are held in Sweden (and Finland) this year start on May 3rd.

That means only players from teams that miss the playoffs will be available. In a normal year you have time to wait for first round eliminations as well, which means you have another eight teams to pick from.

This same shit happened when Sweden hosted the championships in 1995 as well.Does the NHL board of directors do this on purpose to make our tournaments suffer?!

Suck it up Vikingboy The NHL IS the the World Championships! (and a really really good money making endeavour that many are boycotting... )